“We are one of the very, very successful countries [in which Continental operates] because the Korean auto industry has grown so much,” said Hyun Sunwoo, CEO of Continental Korea.

automotive suppliers. The impetus for the beginnings in the late 80s was the start of the electronic car trend.

Today Continental Korea has six manufacturing locations, seven sales offices, three joint ventures and a total of 2,303 employees across 13 business units. The company’s focus is on automotive and rubber components.

Continental Korea’s strategy is to integrate advanced technologies from Germany with the efficient production of Korea and to localize the entire value chain, from the marketing, research and development and sourcing to manufacturing and customer support.

As a result, Sunwoo forecasts accelerated vehicle electrification for Continental Korea and continued rapid growth in electronic components.

“We will be the leader in futuristic vehicles,” said Sunwoo. “Our company goal has been [to be] the number one automotive electronics companyin Korea.”

The CEO pointed to four automotive megatrends that his company helps shape: safety, to four automotive megatrends that his company helps shape: safety, the environment (clean power), information (intelligent driving) and affordable cars. Continental Korea has proven so strong in its manufacturing competency that headquarters is trying to double the number of engineers in one of its Korea business units to develop parts not only for Korea, but other areas of the world as well.

“We’ve proved that we are doing so well,” said Sunwoo.

But perhaps the greatest proof is in the parts: Every Korean-manufactured car is equipped with at least one Continental product.